Max Heller is a true Visionary and innovator. In the spring of 1987, a blue ribbon task force was formed by the Greater Greenville Chamber of Commerce to address the question “what do we want to be in the year 2005?” Max Heller led the 75-member group, which included representatives from throughout the county and from various segments of the community. The result of their deliberations was a document called Vision 2005: Greenville, The Journey Forward. This document specified 20 specific goals for shaping our community. Taken in context of the time, this list looked more like wild dreams than potential reality!

This plan served as the catalyst for the metamorphosis of Greenville and was truly visionary. It addressed six different areas: Economy, Livability, Infrastructure, Community, Government and Leadership. With a focus on technology, research, and education, as well as the arts and infrastructure, the plan integrated the key components for intentional, controlled and sustained growth and development, as well as an improved standard of living. Achieving the plan incorporated collaborative efforts from both public and private sectors. This foundation has created a collaborative culture and spirit within the county and the Upstate of SC which is in evidence daily.

It is very interesting to look back at the goals that were established 18 years ago. This leads one to a great appreciation of the forward-thinking vision and leadership of Max Heller. With an understanding of the importance of technology, he led the Task Force as they agreed that Clemson University should strive to become one of the Top 20 Research Universities and that Greenville needed to develop a research park. With Clemson University currently ranked 37th among Research Universities and Clemson ICAR (International Center for Automotive Research) established, Greenville is already perceived to be a leading international center in this exciting technological growth area.

Knowing that diversity was key to innovation and economic growth, a goal of becoming South Carolina’s area of largest international investment was also established and embraced. It is difficult to comprehend what the Upstate community would be without Michelin NA, FUJI, BMW and the many other international companies resident and active here. The Upstate of South Carolina ranks in the top 10 areas of the United States for International business investment due to a business friendly environment, quality of life and climate. In the late 90’s, The State of SC had the highest per capita foreign investment in the United States. The concentration of this investment has been in Greenville and Spartanburg counties.

When we look at the milestone achievements of the past 5 to 7 years, we can see the culmination of additional initiatives established by the Task Force almost 20 years ago: A Year-Round Governor’s School for the Arts A Perimeter Highway An Upstate Coliseum Removal of the Camperdown Bridge and a Reedy River Walk Greenville Memorial Hospital has become a major research hospital A Wireless Downtown community City of Greenville Awards: 2003 Great American Main Street Award for revitalizing downtown area through historic preservation. 2004 Greenville received the Audrey Nelson Community Development LADDER Award for Lifelong Advancement through Diligence, Determination & Employment Resources. 2005 Arthur G. Hayden Medal for the Liberty Bridge; awarded to recognize a single recent outstanding achievement in bridge engineering demonstrating innovation in special use bridges such as pedestrian, people mover, or non-traditional structures.

Max Heller is also ever a man of the people. He was recently quoted as saying “We care about everybody.” These are not idle words. Vision 2005 encompassed an expanded public library system and public/private commitment to low-income housing. The City of Greenville was recently named as one of the first 10 recipients of a $46 million Ray and Joan Kroc community center grant. Had the City not had an existing culture of caring about everybody, this would not have been possible. Max Heller was instrumental in cultivating such a culture. The Vision 2005 process proved to be so successful that in 2003, the Greenville Chamber of Commerce launched a comprehensive visioning process intended to update the 2005 Vision Process and create Vision 2025 to serve as a roadmap for our future. Nearly 1000 people participated in the process. Vision 2025 dares to imagine a community whose growth is fueled by creativity, ignited by the power of ideas, and fired by the goal of excellence for all of those who live and work here.

Being a Visionary is impressive. Perhaps even more impressive is being a catalyst for and an active participant in bringing the vision to reality. Max Heller has played a key role in the development of the Upstate and of South Carolina in the last three decades. In 1969 Max was elected to the City Council and served as Mayor of Greenville from 1971 until 1979. He was one of the main leaders in the revitalization of downtown Greenville and in bringing new businesses into the city. He has transformed the City and the lives of the people in the community. Max Heller was a major catalyst, a key participant, and/or inspiration for these and many other Upstate accomplishments. His ability to inspire and foster collaboration of community leaders, the city and state, as well as residents was the foundation for this success.

Max’s lifetime of service to the community has led to numerous awards. He received the 1970 Man of the Year Award from the National Council of Jewish Women, the Distinguished Service Award from the Greater Greenville Ministerial Alliance, the Human Relations Award from the Greenville Human Relations Commission, and of the Whitney Young Humanitarian Award from the Greenville Urban League. Furman awarded him an honorary Doctor of Laws degree in 1975 and the Bell Tower Award in 1998. Awards have also been named in his honor, among them, the Max Heller Neighborhood Improvement Award and Furman University’s Max and Trude Heller Collegiate Educational Service Corps.

Lastly, it should be noted that although we generally associate Max Heller with the City of Greenville, Greenville County and the Upstate of SC, the impact of his leadership has extended to the entire state of SC. Max Heller served the State of South Carolina as Chairman of the SC State Development Board under Governor Richard Riley (1978-1986).